Augmented reality and “experiential history”

Ever in search of the optimal historical experience, I ran across the following video in YouTube. I can’t help but think of the implications augmented history will have in the years to come in both the field, among tourists, and in the classroom. The video shows that we are still in the early stages of refining this technology, but if you can see the potential for the future, after further refinements, then I think we can all agree on the possibilities.

I think where this type of presentation (dare we say user interface) works best is with subjects where the imagery is plentiful. Say for instance a tour of a World War II air base preparing for a mission. Or a D-Day landing craft going ashore.

On the other hand, I think the “authors” of a program to depict, oh say, the Battle of Gaugamela might have some serious hurdles to leap, with only verbal descriptions of the events.

Of course then we’d have esteemed historians arguing over the CGI…. “I reject your version of reality and substitute my own, Dr. Jones!”

Craig, Yes, I can certainly see the controversy that a particular interpretation might bring in these things, just as in the case of integrating a virtual guest speaker in Second Life. Just what version do we decide to feature in a program? Of course, this could make for some interesting presentations if we have two versions of Lee and he debates himself (essentially, of course, the authors are debating each other through the respective interpretations of Lee personas). Wild, eh!?